One of the hardest parts of a PANS/PANDAS diagnosis isn't just getting the diagnosis—it's figuring out how to talk about it. How do you explain to your child that their brain is under attack by their own immune system? What do you tell siblings who've been walking on eggshells for months? And how much should teachers, friends, and extended family really know?

In this episode, licensed clinical social worker Angela Henry joins hosts Krystal Vivian and Lindsey Forsyth for an essential conversation about communication. They break down how to have age-appropriate discussions with children about their diagnosis, why naming the disease can actually be liberating, and how to navigate the delicate balance between privacy and advocacy. From the child who presents about PANDAS to their entire fifth-grade class to the teenager who only confides in one parent, they explore how different families approach these conversations in ways that work for them.

Whether you're preparing to tell your child they have PANS/PANDAS, trying to help siblings understand why things feel so unfair, or wondering what to share with your child's school, this episode offers practical guidance rooted in compassion. Because the right conversations, approached with curiosity instead of judgment, can transform a diagnosis from a source of shame into an opportunity for connection, self-awareness, and hope.

Read the full transcript of this episode at PANDASMichiana.com.


RESOURCES:
Surviving The Flares: An Emotional Toolkit For PANS/PANDAS Caregivers — Available wherever you listen to podcasts

Claimable https://www.getclaimable.com/ 

PANDAS Michiana https://pandasmichiana.com/ 

PANDAS Physician Network https://www.pandasppn.org/ 

PANDAS Network https://pandasnetwork.org/understanding-pandas/ 

Angela Henry, LCSW https://angelahenrylcsw.com/services/pandas-pans-ae 

ASPIRE PANS PANDAS Advocacy, Community & Support Aspire

Neuroimmune Foundation Neuroimmune Foundation | Inflammatory Brain Conditions

Mind Global Council https://www.mindglobalcouncil.com/

OCD Family Podcast https://www.ocdfamilypodcast.com/

Hornets and Hippos Workbook: https://margaretjessoppsyd.com/hornets-and-hippos/ 

Parenting Resources:

Dr. Ross Greene https://drrossgreene.com/ 

Dr. Becky Kennedy https://www.goodinside.com/about/ 

Dr. Dan Siegel https://drdansiegel.com/ 

Brene Brown (professor and researcher of shame, vulnerability, courage and empathy) https://brenebrown.com/ 

One of the hardest parts of a PANS/PANDAS diagnosis isn't just getting the diagnosis&mdash;it's figuring out how to talk about it. How do you explain to your child that their brain is under attack by their own immune system? What do you tell siblings who've been walking on eggshells for months? And how much should teachers, friends, and extended family really know?
In this episode, licensed clinical social worker Angela Henry joins hosts Krystal Vivian and Lindsey Forsyth for an essential conversation about communication. They break down how to have age-appropriate discussions with children about their diagnosis, why naming the disease can actually be liberating, and how to navigate the delicate balance between privacy and advocacy. From the child who presents about PANDAS to their entire fifth-grade class to the teenager who only confides in one parent, they explore how different families approach these conversations in ways that work for them.
Whether you're preparing to tell your child they have PANS/PANDAS, trying to help siblings understand why things feel so unfair, or wondering what to share with your child's school, this episode offers practical guidance rooted in compassion. Because the right conversations, approached with curiosity instead of judgment, can transform a diagnosis from a source of shame into an opportunity for connection, self-awareness, and hope.
Read the full transcript of this episode at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.PANDASMichiana.com">PANDASMichiana.com</a>.
 RESOURCES: Surviving The Flares: An Emotional Toolkit For PANS/PANDAS Caregivers &mdash; Available wherever you listen to podcasts
Claimable <a href="https://www.getclaimable.com/">https://www.getclaimable.com/</a>&nbsp;
PANDAS Michiana<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fpandasmichiana.com%2f&amp;c=E,1,zc3GDyjXr-vdPgMBUXX2l3bdpimTgHntDDmCNrElzZT3IuwKstPR9MD061FpO7C5MB92Kitz0Ofp4B-Cu3PaVlZxcV_i0pEKQ1hi2692cCj3RGLp7S0,&amp;typo=1">&nbsp;https://pandasmichiana.com/</a>&nbsp;
PANDAS Physician Network<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.pandasppn.org%2f&amp;c=E,1,nsheMF-ZLyNfeCaEVqJ8w1EbmKvUKdzaJBlkcCATXXhn1RR7VzLqiB-1AW54IN3R5ThQAxNKsJZzeoPvyrNKbz5MuyVmH1kxh5lv-wA5yS3_8A,,&amp;typo=1">&nbsp;https://www.pandasppn.org/</a>&nbsp;
PANDAS Network<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fpandasnetwork.org%2funderstanding-pandas%2f&amp;c=E,1,oSRcOxHIeOczxNnwyEwwPsz1pezNuxPJqpUPiFBd54voMEq9LMXjCgdcVJIisUWjPQPqWNJfKhGWi2XHGL4ZmZyGB4f22A41FGq9pAE2NWnc&amp;typo=1">&nbsp;https://pandasnetwork.org/understanding-pandas/</a>&nbsp;
Angela Henry, LCSW <a href="https://angelahenrylcsw.com/services/pandas-pans-ae">https://angelahenrylcsw.com/services/pandas-pans-ae</a>&nbsp;
ASPIRE <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2faspire.care%2f&amp;c=E,1,JctdDsly7jEemiEI4eHkwsS38NEDK_5AfMf9GLGRiJ4uUR61hWffsF133U_aI-eJROFh3PEQhDSpTUaL4kCf_kjyRbGhp3uCH5Je7UVH0Y77LHlzqG71WO_EUpo,&amp;typo=1">PANS PANDAS Advocacy, Community &amp; Support Aspire</a>
Neuroimmune Foundation <a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fneuroimmune.org%2f&amp;c=E,1,mNTMw8l4LkpxnJz4O_rajIeYPOY7MvW-P8XHdGqh8BKsYCFg9ZuQs6ehjylbvsG7h5c1XjPTljXbM2Xb3Zf_s9YX1VweL-Hoyp4Z203FHhNSBdHmaSaAt2WQbNw,&amp;typo=1">Neuroimmune Foundation | Inflammatory Brain Conditions</a>
Mind Global Council&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.mindglobalcouncil.com%2f&amp;c=E,1,Lwk8_anxtG66heZOxzQuYZDgH3QjAQJsuvX86jNrlDTgefVaTKyFYw_9Gm0x06eEosqgKIc5VSijRQMFjEpfaBvhptfInfPHUa7EIKCeIZDDv2w1fFsxauI,&amp;typo=1">https://www.mindglobalcouncil.com/</a>
OCD Family Podcast<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.ocdfamilypodcast.com%2f&amp;c=E,1,2ELpdJUDsiHm8ErbupVYFsCgz6pPqFKhiL1zxvlZR1lfxntav0ChXXeR_odXnbZQFs0d9jpyHfffvBKdDHyufmYPdk8pIHtIvNJ_pangcGQ,&amp;typo=1">&nbsp;https://www.ocdfamilypodcast.com/</a>
Hornets and Hippos Workbook:<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fmargaretjessoppsyd.com%2fhornets-and-hippos%2f&amp;c=E,1,50iUUS-2-wkhfhPAAoe2AmQ4d7_sMTFwbLl3JS5_YQNrj-bISePqPD6KHjF-qwVRrE_6zelRR5N5u1MT_7p11UfoIrSGieTNNJFN0QE1XI7l0wrn&amp;typo=1">&nbsp;https://margaretjessoppsyd.com/hornets-and-hippos/</a>&nbsp;
Parenting Resources:
Dr. Ross Greene<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fdrrossgreene.com%2f&amp;c=E,1,tMtE3h8P3utEznCHXLypiTXMBbuMlUihQWP357ew54WG8qfPM3dw1ktJP7IgHdYoSOh6cWKN1xjIDD0Loau8MQlcJb3QFbH0OOn4-2G-i1mp9igM7W-HPQ,,&amp;typo=1">&nbsp;https://drrossgreene.com/</a>&nbsp;
Dr. Becky Kennedy<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.goodinside.com%2fabout%2f&amp;c=E,1,HE69LaTrRrJcaUoxf1rLbJLdKMXKS7bK5DFql5vk5yhoD0ILzjRPrmqDq9gO5YeM8iwKc8AAhPDagMzCikkZtTzYAvh0g9n-NYWPKFCY&amp;typo=1">&nbsp;https://www.goodinside.com/about/</a>&nbsp;
Dr. Dan Siegel<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fdrdansiegel.com%2f&amp;c=E,1,M3Mk7Pn6Z8p4tl3lIC2CjWbSp-gC4O_eSsCKFj-qbonbl8QhfjSX7vmChYjULwrDzuMC731yEYz0s1lHquDvFki_LVkKdwQRwxc8rLrneiJZK4C1hY560Q,,&amp;typo=1">&nbsp;https://drdansiegel.com/</a>&nbsp;
Brene Brown (professor and researcher of shame, vulnerability, courage and empathy)<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fbrenebrown.com%2f&amp;c=E,1,eEJAbm1TjnlhFLej380GzNo66QTcMZ0cv5rrri3j_0aN1QxoXMSzGdYG4k-rZPfHo7DJF1xykEnAW-JOTxEV5gIlh50P1B47lvMEC_MM&amp;typo=1">&nbsp;https://brenebrown.com/</a>&nbsp;

When infections or other factors trigger autoimmune responses that attack your child's brain, families find themselves navigating an invisible storm. They seek out care, but often even clinicians wanting to help may not know how. Flying Through Fog brings clarity to the complex world of PANS/PANDAS through real stories, expert insights, and practical guidance.

Tune in weekly for conversations with families who've walked this path, medical professionals who understand the science, and advocates fighting for better awareness and treatment access. You'll hear from parents sharing their diagnostic journeys, experts helping families overcome insurance coverage denials, and clinicians who are in the trenches advancing our understanding of these neuroimmune conditions.

Whether you're seeking answers for sudden behavioral changes in your child, looking for treatment options, or you're a clinician looking for guidance, this podcast offers hope, community and education. We tackle the hard questions about symptoms, therapies, school accommodations, and family dynamics while celebrating the resilience of children and families affected by PANS/PANDAS.

Because when you're flying through fog, you don't have to fly alone.

New episodes drop weekly. Join our community of families, advocates, and professionals working together to raise awareness and improve outcomes for children with PANS/PANDAS.

Flying Through Fog is produced and mixed by Tommie Lee. It is published by News/Talk 95.3 Michiana's News Channel and News/Talk 1190 WOWO 92.3 FM. A member of the Podcasts by Federated Media network.

When infections or other factors trigger autoimmune responses that attack your child's brain, families find themselves navigating an invisible storm. They seek out care, but often even clinicians wanting to help may not know how. Flying Through Fog brings clarity to the complex world of PANS/PANDAS through real stories, expert insights, and practical guidance.
Tune in weekly for conversations with families who've walked this path, medical professionals who understand the science, and advocates fighting for better awareness and treatment access. You'll hear from parents sharing their diagnostic journeys, experts helping families overcome insurance coverage denials, and clinicians who are in the trenches&nbsp;advancing our understanding of these neuroimmune conditions.
Whether you're seeking answers for sudden behavioral changes in your child, looking for treatment options,&nbsp;or you're a clinician looking for guidance, this podcast offers hope, community and education. We tackle the hard questions about symptoms, therapies, school accommodations, and family dynamics while celebrating the resilience of children and families affected by PANS/PANDAS.
Because when you're flying through fog, you don't have to fly alone.
New episodes drop weekly. Join our community of families, advocates, and professionals working together to raise awareness and improve outcomes for children with PANS/PANDAS.
Flying Through Fog is produced and mixed by Tommie Lee. It is published by News/Talk 95.3 Michiana's News Channel and News/Talk 1190 WOWO 92.3 FM. A member of the Podcasts by Federated Media network.